european level crossing awareness day - uic · the purpose of elcad is to link together a series of...

European Level Crossing Awareness Day 25 June 2009

Press Information

Together with

Antonio Tajani,

Antonio Tajani

European Commission Vice-President and Transport Commissioner

“Road safety is a priority issue for the European Commission. Many of us, in one way or another have been touched by road accidents. This is why it is also my personal conviction that such initiatives should be encouraged. I therefore welcome that road and rail stakeholders have taken the initiative to tackle this challenge together. I am sure that activities like the European level crossing awareness day will help to improve the safety at level crossings.”

Jürgen Menge

Chairman European Level Crossing Forum (ELCF)

To reduce the excessive number of level crossings accidents caused by road users and pedestrians, the road and rail sectors are working together to raise awareness of the risks of misbehaving around level crossings. This is the purpose of the ELCAD project in conjunction with 28 countries and a wide number of important stakeholders. There is a clear need to focus on educational measures and the promotion of safe behaviour.

“Road users’ behaviour at level crossings is a very sensitive issue, which unfortunately only echos when serious and dramatic accidents occur. As citizen, but also as MEP, I am particularly concerned and involved in road safety issues. Level crossings are a matter of road safety in their own right, and we must increasingly work to educate all users and encourage greater responsibility and prudence. That is why I very much welcome such initiatives and I am now engaged in this day of awareness.". Brigitte Fouré, Member of the European Parliament

“Developing public awareness is key to promote safe behaviour. Regarding level crossing safety, I strongly believe that an effective answer must come from both road and rail authorities/sectors but also from all the other interested parties. Engagement of actors such as the police forces is extremely important to address risky behaviour, to move forward and therefore reduce the number of accidents.” Michael Cramer, Member of the European Parliament

“We congratulate the nations participating in European Level Crossing Awareness Day (ELCAD) today for successfully bringing individual countries together to showcase their rail safety efforts. We welcome the effort this week, as we in the United States launch a new campaign to reduce the number of pedestrians killed and injured while trespassing on or around train tracks.” Helen Srmek, Operation Lifesaver President

PRESS RELEASE

European Awareness Day at Level Crossings

Stop accidents! Europe for Safer Level Crossings!” Each year too many people die in accidents at level crossings. In Europe, at least 600 people fall victim of accidents at level crossings every year. 95 % of these accidents (according to UIC calculations) are caused by road users. Therefore, the rail and road sectors are organising together a pan-European Level Crossing Awareness Day on 25 June, to make people understand that these accidents could be avoided if they obey the traffic rules and address misbehaviour at and around level crossings.

(Brussels, 25.06.09).The European Level Crossing Awareness Day focuses on educational measures and the promotion of safe behaviour at and around level crossings. It is built on existing national events which will be held jointly at various locations in every participating Member State on 25 June and constructed around the common message “Stop accidents! Europe for Safer Level Crossings!” Many communications actions have been planned all over Europe: flyers will be handed out at level crossings, schools, driving schools, scouting clubs etc. Posters will be displayed in railway stations and other central places, special messages will be broadcast on radio and television, press conferences will be organised with national and local press.

The project involves road sector, government agencies, railway undertakings, infrastructure managers and police forces from all EU countries and some third countries as well as the European and International rail associations (CER, EIM and UIC), the European Level Crossing Forum (ELCF), the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), the European Railway Agency (ERA) as well as the European Commission and media. Additionally, several countries outside Europe, such as Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan as well as the well known U.S. road-rail safety awareness organisation Operation Lifesaver welcome and fully support such initiative and will use the European Awareness Level Crossing Awareness Day as an incentive to communicate on this issue in their own countries.

You can find detailed information on good practices and educational material designed to highlight the issue of risky behaviour at and around level crossings by consulting the dedicated website for level crossing issues at www.levelcrossing.net.

Note to the editor: The European Level Crossing Awareness Day is a joint commitment following the signature of the European Road Safety Charter engaging both road and rail sectors to strong actions on raising public awareness on the danger of risky behaviour at level crossings. This was agreed last March and welcomed by Vice-President and Transport Commissioner, Antonio Tajani, who stated: “Road safety is a priority issue for the European Commission. It is my personal conviction that such initiatives should be encouraged. I am sure that activities like the European level crossing awareness day will help to improve the safety at level crossings.”

Level crossing accidents account for 2% of road deaths but a third of all rail fatalities. On 20 March road and rail organisations acknowledged their shared responsibility to deal with this issue by signing the European Road Safety Charter. The charter is an initiative of the European Union, with the objective of developing concrete actions, assessing results and further heightening awareness about the need to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities through the exchange of best practices in traffic safety in Europe, while adding a European dimension to individual or collective initiatives.

For more information on this European coordinated initiative: • International Union of Railways (UIC)

Ilyas Daoud, Project Coordinator, phone +32 2 213 08 34, e-mail [email protected] Liesbeth de Jong, UIC Press relations, phone + 33 1 44 49 20 53, e-mail, [email protected]

• European Level Crossing Forum (ELFC)

Alan Davies, Secretary of ELCF, Phone +44 20 7904 7964, mobile +44 7919 016 502, e-mail [email protected]

• Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER)

Frank Schneider, CER Press and Communications Manager, phone +32 2 213 08 90, mobile +32 473 32 20 94, e-mail [email protected]

• European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM)

Patrick Keating, EIM Public Affairs Manager, phone +32 2 234 37 70, mobile +32 476 66 19 09 e-mail [email protected]

• European Transport Safety Council (ETSC)

Evgueni Pogorelov, ETSC Communications Officer, phone +32 2230 41 06, e-mail [email protected]

1 Figures and data have been provided by the countries/companies involved in the project The purpose of ELCAD is to link together a series of national/local events on 25 June, constructed around a common theme and unique branding. The main purpose of such coordinated action is to focus on education and promote safe behaviour by all users at and around level crossings.

Programme of events

European Level Crossing Awareness Day 25th June 2009

Country Facts and figures1 Awareness measures Partners involved Press Contact

Austria

Total number of LX: 7116

Accidents in 2007: 196 Accidents in 2008: 157

Fatalities in 2007: 36 Fatalities in 2008: 25

Leaflets distributed by special costumed

persons; at main squares in cities Local press conferences in the regions of

Austria and press release on 25th June in local medias.

Survey (2 weeks before) about main

questions concerning LC and behaviour

Ministry of

Transport Austrian Federal

Railways (ÖBB) Austrian Road

Safety Board (Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit, KfV)

[email protected]

+43 (0)5 77077 1250

Belgium



Fatalities in 2007: 19


Special focus on main harbours of Belgium

targeting truck drivers Leaflets to be sent to the enterprises close to

the harbours Ongoing national campaign started in March

with distribution of leaflets in all main train stations and dangerous LX, TV spots, posters…

Infrabel (Rail

Infrastructure Manager)

IBSR

[email protected]

+ 32 (0)4 765 50 942


Bulgaria





Press release issued by the Bulgarian

Railways (NRIC) NRIC employees will stop and inform drivers

at the busiest level crossing distribute flyers with pictures and rules for the safe use of level crossings

Possible TV report

National Railway

Infrastructure Company of Bulgaria(NRIC)

Ministry of Transport

[email protected]

+ 359 2 932 36 90

Czech

Republic





Press release in national papers Publication of safety messages and

dangers Cooperation with national TV and radio

(interviews, debates, discussions, etc.), Posters and information, leaflets,

advertising boards Internet (special website of the campaign

with photographs of real situations on LX and interactive discussion)

SZDC (Railway

Infrastructure Administration

[email protected]

+ 420 222 335 208

Denmark


Accidents in 2007: N/A Accidents in 2008: 7

Fatalities in 2007: N/A


Press release

Danish Road

Directorate Danish Road Safety

Council Danish railway

companies

[email protected]

+ 45 409 84 212


Estonia





Outdoor posters displayed at LX in major

cities E-mail will be used for notifying local

residents about the awareness day Internet: An advertising clip will be

prepared – displayed on various web sites (youtube, vimeo)

Radio: Special message will be developed – broadcasted by all radio stations

TV: A press release will be sent to all TV channels inviting them to cover the awarenss day in Estonia

Estonian version of Operation Lifesaver with a dedicated website

Three campaigns per year (Christmas, summer break, EU one as for now)

AS Eesti Raudtee,

AS Edelaraudtee, AS Elektriraudtee (Railway companies)

Eesti

inghäälingute Liit (The Association of Estonian Brodcasters)

Politsei (Police

forces) Tehnilise

Järelevalve Amet (Estonian Technical Surrveillance Authority)

City of Tallinn

[email protected]

+ 372 50 45112

Finland





Radio commercials in June, July, October

and November Website and brochure at

www.rhk.fi/tasoristeys Material distributed to driving schools Posters in the harbours Press release Police enforcement

Ministry of

Transport and Communications Finland

The Finnish Rail Administration

The Finnish Rail Agency

Liikenneturva – Central Organisation for Traffic Safety in Finland

VR Group (Finnish Railways)

Finnish Road Administration

Finnish Vehicle Administration

Finnish Motor Insurers` Centre

Police forces

Karita.kontula-

[email protected]

+ 358 207 282 345


France




Selection of 18 LX Half a day to give an verbal awareness

message, leaflets and pins to road drivers stopped at these 20 LX

Police forces involved with speed cameras Local press (TV, Radio, newspapers) A website Repetition of the 2008 campaign with a focus

on young drivers and pedestrians A survey will be made by an independent

organism to assess the results (phone)

Rail infrastructure

Manager (Réseau Ferré de France, RFF)

The Road Safety (Sécurité Routière),

Traffic control association (Prevention Routière)

SNCF Sustainable

development Ministry (Ministère de l’écologie, de l’énergie, du développement durable et de l’aménagement du territoire)

National Security Service (police nationale)

Police Forces

[email protected]

+ 33 (0)1 53 94 31 38

Germany

Total number of LX: 20 385 Accidents in 2007: 231 Accidents in 2008: 207



Roadshow: Tour with ADAC truck in

popular locations like marketplaces and railway stations

Advance notice of tour dates via posters in buses, railway stations and central places

Press, Press conference, expert's conversation, interview with mayors, police and traffic enterprise

Child program and lottery School classes within the scope of the

road safety education Films and flyer ADAC, DVR and German railways,

expert and regional representatives as a contact in the truck

Prelude in April with the north tour in the cities of Dresden (21.04), Kiel (23.04) and Hannover 25.04).

Continuation in summer / autumn with the south tour in the cities of Mainz (25.06),Stuttgart and Rosenheim

Ministry of

Transport Deutsche Bahn

ADAC DVR

(Professional association having liability for industrial safety and insurance)

[email protected]

+ 49 69 265 54 302


Greece

Total number of LX: N/A

Accidents in 2007: N/A Accidents in 2008: N/A



Press release issued by IOAS

Possible publication and distribution of a

leaflet and broadcast of a radio ad.

IOAS (Road Safety

Institute) Possible partnership

with the Ministry of Transport

[email protected]

+ 30 210 86 20 150

Hungary





Press release

Hungarian Railways

(MAV)

[email protected]

[email protected]

+ 36 (0) 6 70 513 6165

Ireland





Press release

Irish Rail

[email protected]

+ 353 1 836 3333

Israel




Communications through media and

newspapers about the Int. Awareness Day. Ads and slogans on radio related to safe

behavior at LX in cooperation with the Israeli Road Safety Authority. Possible distribution of leaflets to drivers and pedestrians.

Publication of safety messages at Israel Railways Internet Site

Israeli Railways

Road Safety

Authority

[email protected]

+ 972 369 37 810


Italy





Press release

Ferrovie dello

Stato

[email protected]

+ 39 06 4410.4402

Latvia




Press release Campaign on railway safety in general

targeting all users, including LX

LDZ – Latvian

Railways

[email protected]

+ 37 127 895 497

Lithuania




Press release

JSC Lithuanian

railways

[email protected]

+ 370 5 269 38 61

Luxembourg




Press release

Sécurité Routière

Luxembourg

[email protected]

+ 352 31 97 861

Netherlands





Press release Speech at a conference of ‘Day of the

Railroads’ about level crossing issues Making a ready made article for door-to-

door papers about do’s and don’ts at LX 2 campaigns throughout the year: for

children the campaign DingDingDing! And for youngsters the campaign Pazzup! (use of website, flyers, advertisements,

Prorail

[email protected]

+ 31 (0) 30 235 4887


videogame..)

Poland





27 press conferences across Poland Reconstitution of a LX accident in Warsaw Education actions in schools Cooperation with TV and radio (spots

emission, interviews, debates, discussions etc.),

Posters and information, leaflets, billboards, advertising boards

Internet (website of the campaign, advertising banners on websites bodies involved),

Voluntary engagement. All year round (emphasis on activities

during summer break)

Polish Railways

PKP National Council

of Road Traffic Safety

Chief Command of Police

Chief Command of Border Guard

Chief Command of Military Police

Chief Command of State Fire Service

Polish Scouts Union

“Safe Driver” Krzysztof Hołowczyc Foundation

Media, companies/institutions

[email protected]

[email protected]

+ 48 22 47 323 38

Portugal





The 25th June: kick off National campaign:

“Pare, Escute e Olhe” at 2 levels: Institutional and Preventional.

ERSC to be signed Presentation of a Green Book about LX

security Press release TV campaign, Outdoors LX area in REFER website Flyers and brochures 3 main priorities:

- Closures of LC - Upgrades of LC - Awareness campaigns

Ministry of

Transport

Portuguese Railways (REFER)

[email protected]

+ 351 21 10 22 852

[email protected]

+ 351 21 10 22 482


Romania





Press release

CFR SA Romania

Railways

[email protected]

+ 402 131 77 438

Serbia

Total number of LX: N/A

Accidents in 2007: N/A Accidents in 2008: N/A

Fatalities in 2007: N/A Fatalities in 2008: N/A

Press release

Zeleznice Srbije –

The Serbian Railways

[email protected] + 381 11 306 73 15

Slovak

Republic





Press release Distribution of DVD on safety at level

crossings in cooperation with the Czech Railways

Distribution of brochure “the young rescuer” in primary schools produced in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and Transport.

Focus on 25th June becoming a special day for safety involving the Railways, Police forces and Media

ŽSR - The Railways of the Slovak Republic

Ministry of

Transport, Post and Telecomunication

Police Forces

Media

[email protected]

+ 421 2 2029 7014

Slovenia





Advertisements in local newspapers, on

the local radio and television lectures posters for local communities circular letters to kindergartens, primary

and secondary schools police surveillance at LX recommendations to driving schools distribution of posters informing the local population

Already two main actions in October/March

Ministry of

Transport Police forces

Slovenian

Railways

[email protected]

+ 386 1 29 14 177


Spain





Press release

ADIF (Raill

infrastructure manager)

[email protected]

+ 34 91 774 57 67

Sweden





8 LX spread over the country. Each of

them will be covered by 4 people with local media as well as other authorities (police, local politicians etc).

Simple folder to handout to everyone passing, leaflets, soft drinks... experience from previous campaigns re-used

National press release Campaign part of a broader road/rail safety

week Internal surveys to measure effectiveness

of the message

Banverket (Rail

Administration)

Vägverket (Road Administration)

[email protected]

+ 46 (0)768 193403

[email protected]

+ 46 (0)10-484 62 44

Switzerland





National Video spot distributed through TV,

radio and Internet use of posters in public places and spcial

presentations in shools are considered Newspapers, printed press Targeted presentation in selected

institutions by (active distribution) A survey will be made to assess the

results

Office Federal des

Transports

[email protected]

+ 41 (0)31 322 57 65

UK





National press release and conference Local press events as well 10 LX selected over the network and face

to face (leaflets, verbal ad..)

Network Rail

RSSB

Industry

Police forces

Key political and

media stakeholders

[email protected]

+ 44 792 050 82 88

Eva Molnar Director of the Transport Division United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

“There are still tens of thousands level-crossings all over the world; despite all the measures taken to signal level-crossings and make them safe many road users are killed or injured at such crossings every year, because they fail to observe mandatory stop lights or audible alarms, for example, or venture onto a level-crossing without first making sure that no rail traffic is approaching, or else they drive through or around the barriers or half-barriers. Contrary to what is generally thought, most accidents involve “regulars”, in particular those living near a level-crossing, as habit makes them less careful or more reckless, which may prove fatal.

In order to reduce the risk of collision, countries are making efforts to remove level-crossings, starting with the ones where the risk is highest; this is, however, a long-term undertaking because of the cost involved and the relatively long study and implementation times.

Meanwhile, campaigns like the European Level Crossing Awareness Day (ELCAD) are most welcome as they can result in significant increase of safety for all road users. We hope such campaigns will be repeated and replicated in other regions of the World.”

- - - - -

“The International Union of Railways (UIC) has consistently voiced and demonstrated

through its safety database the high level of risks that represent level crossing accidents for the rail community. The scale of responsibility between the key actors needs clearly to be balanced in order to effectively tackle this multi-modal issue. It is clear that the countries where both road and rail authorities as well as police forces are addressing the same message and working closely together have better results in terms of lower operational risks. A global approach mixing closure of high risk level crossings combined with safety measures addressing people’s behaviour at and around level crossings from the preventional to the institutional level is essential to reduce the number of accidents. Therefore the UIC is delighted to support and assist its members to promote this European Level Crossing Awareness Day and share good practices to ensure consistency and coherence between the stakeholders.” ” UIC is also delighted to see that several countries outside Europe, such as Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan as well as the USA support this initiative and also organise communications actions in conjunction with the European Level Crossing Awareness Day. Jean‐Pierre Loubinoux, Director General of International Union of Railways (UIC) “The European railway and infrastructure managers of CER are strongly committed to continually improving safety at level crossings. However, most accidents at road and rail junctions are deadly examples of what happens when a car, a cyclist or a pedestrian carelessly crosses a railway line. It is generally road users who are causing such incidents and who are killed in them, making it crucial to communicate the importance of using a level crossing the correct way. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) co-organised today's European Level Crossing Awareness Day because we believe that road and rail need to work closely together to raise awareness of and provide information on level crossings to road users. We are very pleased that this first edition of the awareness day already involves road and rail organisations from all EU member states plus Switzerland and Israel, and we are confident that the actions taken today throughout Europe will help to stop accidents and make level crossings safer.” Johannes Ludewig Executive Director of the European railway and infrastructure managers (CER)

“Europe’s rail infrastructure managers are fully committed to reducing accidents at level crossings, and have undertaken a great deal of work to make the interface between road and rail safer, both by working to physically remove level crossings, as in Portugal, or through hard hitting awareness campaigns, as in the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. However, research and experience shows that road users – car and truck drivers, cyclists and pedestrians - are both the main cause and the principal victims of accidents at level crossings. Thus, in order to reduce accidents, we need to better address the behavioural factors that lead to the misuse of railway crossings - Why do people actually cross barred level crossings while fully knowing about the possible fatal dangers? The association of European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) is delighted to participate in the European Level Crossing Awareness Day. Working together with road users, safety organisations and other stakeholders in the railway sector we can spread the message of safe level crossing use to as wide an audience as possible and help to make level crossing safer for both road and rail users.” Michael Robson Secretary General of European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM

S t a t e m e n t s o f U I C , C E R a n d E I M o n t h e E u r o p e a n L e v e l C r o s s i n g A w a r e n e s s D a y

Ilyas Daoud Project coordinator Tel. + 32 2 213 08 34, Email [email protected] Liesbeth de Jong UIC Press Relations Manager Phone : + 33 1 44 49 2053 e-mail: [email protected]

The International Union of Railways (UIC) is the international professional association representing the rail sector. UIC currently counts 200 members across five continents. Its mandate is to promote the growth of rail transport across the world and to encourage and organise international cooperation between its members. UIC’s technical departments draw their lead from the strategies defined by the members of its specialist forums and platforms, and steer or coordinate a total of circa 200 projects in the field of international cooperation, covering all aspects of rail activities: rail system technology, passenger and freight transport, research, safety and security, sustainable development and the development of skills and expertise, see www.uic.org

Frank Schneider CER Press and Communications Manager phone +32 2 213 08 90 mobile +32 473 32 20 94 e-mail [email protected]

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) brings together more than 70 European railway undertakings and infrastructure companies. CER represents the interests of its members towards the European institutions as well as other policy makers and transport actors. CER’s main focus is promoting the strengthening of rail as essential to the creation of a sustainable transport system which is efficient, effective and environmentally sound. For more information, see www.cer.be

Patrick Keating EIM Public Affairs Manager phone +32 2 234 37 70 mobile +32 476 66 19 09 e-mail [email protected]

EIM, the association of European Rail Infrastructure Managers, was established to promote the interests and views of the independent infrastructure managers in Europe, following liberalisation of the railway market, with a view to supporting the development of the rail industry. It is a lobbying organisation which also provides technical expertise to the appropriate European bodies. To find out more about EIM, visit www.eimrail.org

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